Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], December 21 (ANI): Ahead of the upcoming season of the Hockey India League, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers on Saturday introduced the appointment of India’s Sanjay and Belgium stalwart Arthur Van Doren as co-captains of the crew. The HIL 2026 shall be held from January 3 to January 26 2026, throughout Chennai, Ranchi and Bhubaneswar.
India drag-flicker Sanjay just lately led the nationwide crew to a runners-up end. At the identical time, Van Doren captained Belgium to the title on the thirty first Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in November 2025, underscoring the management pedigree each gamers carry to Vedanta Kalinga Lancers within the new season.
Hailing from Haryana, Sanjay rose swiftly by way of the junior ranks, that includes on the 2018 Youth Olympic Games and the 2021 Junior World Cup, the place he served as Vice-Captain and completed because the crew’s highest objective scorer. He made his senior crew debut throughout the 2022-23 FIH Hockey Pro League and has since been an everyday fixture within the Indian setup. He was a part of India’s gold medal-winning marketing campaign on the 2023 Asian Games and the historic bronze medal on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Arjuna Awardee has represented India in 78 worldwide matches thus far.
Arthur Van Doren, in the meantime, is one in every of fashionable hockey’s most adorned defenders. A Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist and 2023 World Cup champion, he additionally gained silver medals on the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the 2023 World Cup. Currently main Belgium within the ongoing FIH Hockey Pro League, Van Doren has earned 276 worldwide caps since making his senior debut in 2012.
Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, mentioned, ‘We are delighted to nominate Sanjay and Arthur Van Doren as co-captains forward of the brand new HIL season. They signify the proper mix of youth, expertise and management inside our squad. Both have just lately led their nationwide groups to the finals of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, which speaks volumes about their temperament and talent to guide from the entrance. With lower than a month to go for the brand new season, we’re excited to start our preparations and work in the direction of attaining our objectives.’
Speaking on his new function, Sanjay mentioned, ‘It is a really particular second for me to guide Vedanta Kalinga Lancers within the Hero Hockey India League. I’ve grown up watching this league, and getting this chance is really outstanding. I’m grateful to the franchise administration and training employees for the belief they’ve proven in me. Sharing the management function with a participant of Arthur’s stature shall be an ideal studying expertise, and collectively we’ll give our best possible to win the title.’
Arthur Van Doren added, ‘I’m actually excited to tackle this function with Vedanta Kalinga Lancers. Leadership is one thing I’m having fun with with the nationwide crew, and captaining a facet within the HIL shall be a brand new and thrilling expertise. I wish to thank the homeowners and coaches for the chance. I’m wanting ahead to reuniting with Sanjay and the remainder of the squad and getting began.’
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers will start their Hero HIL 2026 marketing campaign in opposition to Ranchi Royals on Sunday, January 4, 2026, in Chennai. (ANI)